Interesting Facts About Rogers Hornsby

Rogers Hornsby, nicknamed "The Rajah", was a Major League Baseball second baseman and manager.
Born: April 27, 1896 in Winters, Texas.

Hornsby's first name, Rogers, was his mother's maiden name.

Height: 5’11"

Rogers Hornsby spent the majority of his playing career with the St. Louis Cardinals, though he also had short stints with the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Braves, and the New York Giants, and he ended his career as the player-manager of the St. Louis Browns.

Married: Sarah Martin (1918), Jeanette Pennington Hine (1924) and Marjorie Berniece Frederick (1957).

Rogers Hornsby is the only player to win the National League Triple Crown twice.

Rogers Hornsby was so obsessed with hitting that he refused to watch movies or read newspapers (except to check his batting average) for fear of corrupting his eyesight.

His career batting average of .358 is the highest in National League history, and also the highest in major league history for any right-handed hitter.

Seven National League Batting Titles (1920-1925, 1928)

His batting average for the 1924 season was .424, a mark that no player since has matched.

Rogers Hornsby is the only member of the 40–400 club—having 40 or more home runs and batting .400 or more in the same season.

The Baseball Hall of Fame elected Hornsby in 1942.

Died: January 5, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois.

Special Guests at Fan Club 2010 Luncheon

The Fan Club Luncheon on July 16 included a number of Special Guests. Among them were the following.

Erma M. Bergmann (Bergie) - Amateur Softball and Professional Baseball Player (Click on Photo to Enlarge)

A St. Louis native, Bergmann grew up playing baseball with her two brothers until at age 14 she was asked to play organized amateur softball. At age 19 she was asked to try out professionally for the All American Girls Baseball League in Pascagula, Ms. Bergmann, one of the real players from the movie "A League of Their Own", made the team and was recruited to play for the Muskegon Lassies in 1946. This was the first time in U.S. history women played professional baseball. Known for her strong throwing arm, Bergmann pitched a no hitter against the Grand Rapids Chicks...a career highlight. Bergmann pitched in this extraordinary baseball league from 1946 to 1951. After baseball ended, Bergmann returned to St. Louis and became one of the first pioneer policewomen in 1956. Bergmann retired after 25 years of honorable service in 1981.

Fred Buchholz - Batboy for St. Louis Browns

Fred served as a batboy for both the St. Louis Browns and Cardinals, as well as every visiting AL team.  He was recently featured on the Bob Costas narrated program, "MLB Network Remembers: The Eddie Gaedel Story.”

Rosanne Delsing - Wife of Jim Delsing, St. Louis Browns

Jim Delsing was a popular player with the Browns from 1950-52. He also played for the White Sox, Tigers, Yankees and Athletics. Rosanne is the mother of PGA golfer, Jay Delsing.

Bill DeWitt, III - President, St. Louis Cardinals 

Bill DeWitt III was appointed president after the 2007 season and was previously the team's vice-president of business development.

Joan DeWitt McKean

Ms. McKean is the daughter of Browns owner Bill DeWitt Sr.   She resides in Grosse Point, Michigan.  Sportswise, Ms. McKean is a 4-time Michigan bridge champion who competed last year with 3,000 bridge players from across America and Mexico.

Chuck Diering – St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles

Diering, a St. Louis native and Beaumont High graduate, was drafted by the Browns/Orioles in November 1953 and ended up being the Orioles team MVP for 1954.  He was the last original Oriole still with the team, departing June 24, 1956.  He played in 396 games for the Cardinals from 1947-1951 and was the everyday centerfielder between Stan Musial and Enos Slaughter in 1949. 

Bo Drochelman - Grandson of George Sisler, St. Louis Browns
Julie Drochelman - Great Granddaughter of George Sisler, St. Louis Browns

George Sisler, ranked as the #1 player in the history of the Browns, played for the team from 1915 - 1927. He was the AL batting champ in 1920 & 1922.

Charlie Hopkins - Browns Minor League System

Charlie Hopkins was a standout catcher for the San Antonio Missions during the early ‘50s. Catching future major leaguers such as Ryne Duren. (Charlie Hopkins Photo Shown)

Archie Jones - Browns Minor League System

Jones signed with the Browns in 1953 and was assigned to play with the Pine Bluff Judges in the Class C Cotton States League. Upon completion of military service the following year, he played with the San Antonio Missions and Lubbock Class B League, which was now part of the Baltimore Orioles farm system.

Greg Marecek - Founder/President, St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame

The St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame became a reality in 2009. The HOF will tell the stories with artifacts and presentations on the great tradition of sports in St. Louis.

Bob Muncrief, III - Grandson of Bob Muncrief, St. Louis Browns

Pitched for the Browns from 1937 - 1947. Also played for the Indians, Cubs, Pirates and Yankees.

Browns Luncheon with Lasorda & Costas on Local TV and Internet

The July 16 luncheon of the St. Louis Browns Fan Club is set to be broadcast three times during the coming week. This is the luncheon with guests Tommy Lasorda and Bob Costas. The times are:

     Saturday, Aug. 14 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
     Sunday, Aug. 15 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The video is available through Charter Cable and ATT u-Verse television on the following channels.

     Charter - Channel 994
     ATT u-Verse – Channel 99

On u-Verse, your screen will show this as a LOCAL GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC ACCESS channel. Follow the instructions on the screen. The next screen will allow you to access various public information from various localities. We assume you will need to select the ST. LOUIS CHANNELS to access the program. I assume this may be the same with Charter Cable.

The video is a service of News Channel 20. You can also view the luncheon on the Internet by going to http://www.news20tv.com at the above times. Click on the GTN logo to go live.

Now . . . this will probably be a first for you as it was for me. While I knew the Local Government and Public Access channels were there, it was one I have never watched . . . so we’re all learning something new. I guess we will all find out if this works come Thursday evening. You may want to check out your appropriate TV channel and also visit the News20tv.com web site beforehand.

The luncheon will also be available on DVD. We expect to receive copies within the next few days. (Click on Photos to Enlarge)

If you're not a member of the St. Louis Browns Historical Society and Fan Club, please consider a donation of only $25 to help support programs of this nature . . . and receive the Browns magazine, Pop Flies. Just send a short note along with your check payable to the St. Louis Browns Fan Club to Rick Stamper, 509 Geyer Rd., Kirkwood, MO 63122.

River City Rascals Salute St. Louis Browns at Ballgame August 19; Tickets Available On-line

The St. Louis Browns Historical Society and the River City Rascals are teaming up for a St. Louis Browns Fan Club night at the ballpark. Please join us on Thursday, August 19 at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O’Fallon, MO. The park is conveniently located 35 miles west of downtown St. Louis just off Interstate 70. Join with us in a salute to Eddie Gaedel (baseballs only midget player) and the St. Louis Browns.

The game is an important fund raiser for the St. Louis Browns Historical Society. Please help support the history of major league baseball in St. Louis by joining us on August 19. Game time is 7:05 p.m. against the Oakland County Cruisers.

Tickets are available at $10 per person (a 10% discount). We have a block of reserved seats for fan club members so you will have lots of opportunities to talk Browns baseball with other fan club members.

You can order and pay for tickets on-line using MasterCard, VISA, Discover or American Express by going to our special website below. Your tickets will be mailed to you the next day and confirmed via e-mail.

Click Here: http://rascaltickets.blogspot.com/

Our credit card processing is handled through PayPal. You do not have to be a member of PayPal in order to use this service. The above link will take you to their secured website for processing.

Or you can purchase by mail. Send your check payable to the St. Louis Browns Fan Club to:

St. Louis Browns Fan club
P.O. Box 510047
St. Louis, MO 63151-0047

If you have any questions, please contact us by e-mail or phone. We hope to see you at the ballpark on Augst 19.

Bill Rogers
St. Louis Browns Fan Club
Tel: 314-892-8632
stlbrowns@swbell.net

Click Here For Tickets: http://rascaltickets.blogspot.com/

The Striped Bat of Goose Goslin

THERE’S an old saying about necessity, being the mother of invention. “Goose” Goslin, outfielder for the St. Louis Browns, was having a hard time hitting that old “apple” during the spring training so he adopted a black and white striped bat, shown at the right, and proceeded to pound his way out of the slump.
(Click on Photo to Enlarge)

This was the first time in baseball history that a camouflaged bat was used. It was designed by Willis Johnson, club secretary, who planned to equip other players with bats decorated with cross-rings, blocks and triangles until the “higher ups” declared the use of the bat illegal.

Brown Stockings Join Greater St. Louis Baseball Historical Society

The newest team of the Greater St. Louis Base Ball Historical Society (GSLBBHS ) takes a storied nickname. The St. Louis Brown Stockings, the third member club of GSLBBHS, will begin play at Emmenegger Park in Kirkwood.

The new team has been assembled by Tony “Lightning” Wicker, previously a member of the St. Louis Perfectos and the University City Lions.

“When I first started playing with the St. Louis Perfectos, I fell in love with the game, sportsmanship, and promotion of how the game was played in the 1860s,” Wicker said. “I knew then, that I wanted to start a team closer to home sometime in the future after I learned more about how to start a team and be able to run a team. I used the help of several members of the Perfectos to help get ideas on starting a team.”

Wicker’s nine plays in Kirkwood, Mo., a western suburb of St. Louis. With the addition of the Brown Stockings, the St. Louis area now boasts six teams, three of which are in the GSLBBHS (St. Louis Perfectos, Lafayette Square Cyclone BBC and Brown Stockings) and three others (St. Louis Unions, University City Lions and St. Charles Capitals).

The Brown Stockings lost both games of a doubleheader to the St. Louis Unions April 3.

“After we had our first matches, everything was worth it,” said Wicker. “We looked good, had fun, helped promote the game, were very respectful of one another, showed tremendous sportsmanship as that was the gentleman thing that was going on back then. We had a lot of comments of how the uniforms looked and how we played. With the help of my three other members and the Greater St. Louis Base Ball Historical Society, we are proud to be members of the GSLBBHS and that we are putting a very worthy product on the field to help promote vintage base ball.”

For the latest information on the Brown Stockings, please see www.tiptopworks.com/brownstockings/  or www.tiptopworks.com/gslbbhs/ .

Historically, the Brown Stockings were a St. Louis nine who entered the National Association in 1875. The team made the move to the National League as a founding member in 1876. George Washington Bradley pitched the first no-hitter in the National League as a member of the Brown Stockings.

The team played two seasons before going out of business in 1877 during the aftermath of a game-fixing scandal.

The name remained popular even after the team’s demise. In 1882, Chris von der Ahe entered a team called the Brown Stockings into the American Association. This team later had its name shortened to the Browns and it entered the National League by that name in 1892. The Browns became the St. Louis Perfectos in 1899 and the Cardinals the following season. The National League Cardinals have been one of the most successful teams in the league’s history.

In 1902, the Milwaukee Brewers of the new American League moved to St. Louis and took the name Browns. The team played AL baseball until moving to Baltimore to become the Orioles after the 1953 season.

“We looked at names for our team,” said Wicker. “Playing vintage base ball the way the game was played, I wanted to find a name of historical significance to help promote the game. With a lot of help from the Internet and my girlfriend, I was able to find that the first professional base ball team in St. Louis was the Brown Stockings in 1875. It wasn’t until much later, that I was able to understand the timeline of the Brown Stockings. Not only were the Brown Stockings the first base ball team in St. Louis, but they were the beginning of the St. Louis Cardinals organization. And they were started in time even before the Perfectos, so now we have two teams in the Greater St. Louis Base Ball Historical Society that both represent the birth of the St. Louis Cardinals organization.”

Browns Pushed Ruth to The 600 Homer Mark

The first “Chase for 600″ in baseball history was not much of a chase at all.

On Aug. 21, 1931, Babe Ruth hit his 599th career home run in the ninth inning of a game against the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman’s Park. The next day, facing the Browns again, he homered off George Blaeholder in the third inning. And just like that, it was over.

Mr. Ruth had his milestone. Everyone could go back to watching vaudevilles and drinking moonshine.

How Many Original MLB Teams are Still in Their Original Cities?

http://philadelphiaphillies.baseballfanshop.org/philadelphia-phillies-questions/how-many-original-mlb-teams-are-still-in-their-original-cities/

Okay I have a little bet with my brother. How many original Major League Baseball teams are still their original cities? By this I mean teams that were in the AL and NL the years the leagues were founded?

Here is what I have:

AL: Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, NY Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians.

NL: Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals.

I thought the Pittsburgh Pirates might be in there, they have been together many years. But no. They were started playing several years after the NL was founded.

Photos from Fan Club Lunch - July 16, 2010

Denise Rivlin, Tommy Lasorda

Bill Rogers, Lasorda, Babe Martin

What we used in 1950.

Ed Mickelson, Tom Lasorda, Babe Martin

Bill Rogers, Bob Costas

Lasorda, Babe Martin, Roy Sievers

Getting ready!  Play Ball.

Fans enjoying the action.

Tommy Lasorda autographs

Denise, Erma Bergmann, Hall of Fame member

St. L Browns Fan Club Hosts Annual Luncheon

Two of the biggest names in sports were on hand for the July 16 annual luncheon of the St. Louis Browns Fan Club. More than 155 attendees enjoyed the presentations from Tommy Lasorda, Bob Costas and 6 former Browns players dating back to 1944. Also on hand was Erma Bergmann, a professional baseball pitcher from the 40s and the All American Girls Base League. She was one of the real players from the movie “A League of Their Own.”

Also in attendance were Bill DeWitt, III, President of the St. Louis Cardinals; Fred Buchholz, former batboy for the Browns and Cardinals from the 40s & 50s; Rosanne Delsing, wife of popular Browns player, Jim Delsing; Joan DeWitt McKean, daughter of Browns owner Bill DeWitt, Sr.; Chuck Diering, signed by the Browns but became a popular face with the Cardinals; Bo Drochelman, Grandson of Browns’ George Sisler; Julie Drochelman, Great Granddaughter of Hall of Famer, George Sisler; Bob Muncrief, III, grandson of Bob Muncrief of the Browns and Greg Marecek, President of the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.

Bob Costas came as an unannounced guest and introduced Tommy Lasoda. Before introducing him he showed a video on the Browns and Eddie Gaedel, the midget, and all of the special promotions Bill Veeck tried. But it was Tommy Lasorda stole the show. As guest, Ron Paul, said, “He was awesome and inspiring.”

See photos at: http://bit.ly/8XvhDp

Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda of the Dodgers spoke at a St. Louis Browns luncheon here Friday, attended by ex-Brownies.

Lasorda, originally a Brooklyn Dodgers farmhand, recalled how he was almost in the Browns' rotation and, in fact, trained with them in San Bernadino, Calif., in 1953, the Browns' last season.

"I'd had a good spring," said Lasorda, "and we're on the train going from San Bernadino to Phoenix and I go to the dining car and (coaches) Harry Brecheen and Joe Schultz tell me I'm going to be one of the starters. I'm thinking, 'That's great.' We get off the train in Phoenix and then there's (owner) Bill Veeck waiting for us. He hadn't been with us all spring. I put my uniform on and the phone rings and (manager) Marty Marion wants me to come up to his room.

"When I got there, Bill Veeck was there. He said, 'I feel bad, Tommy.' I bought you for $50,000. ... but I can't pay the Dodgers."

So Lasorda went back to the Dodgers' system and, though still a promising lefthander, never won a game for the Dodgers in the big leagues (he was 0-4 for Kansas City in 1956).

Former Browns Pitcher Ken Holcombe Passes Away

Ken Holcombe actually died on March 15, 2010, however, it was not widely reported. Mr. Holcombe pitched for the Browns in 1952, going 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA in 12 appearances (one start).

Tommy Lasorda to Speak at STL Browns Luncheon; Open to Public

St. Louis, MO June 30, 2010 - Hall of Fame manager, Tommy Lasorda of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been confirmed as a featured speaker at the St. Louis Browns Fan Club luncheon set for July 16, 2010. The lunch will be at the Holiday Inn Viking at 10709 Watson Rd. at Lindbergh in Sunset Hills.

If it weren't for Bill Veeck's cash-flow problems 50 years ago, Tommy Lasorda might never have bled Dodger Blue but instead he would have been a member of the St. Louis Browns.

Before spring training in 1953, the last year the Browns existed, the Brooklyn Dodgers sold Lasorda, a 25-year-old, lefthanded pitcher, to the St. Louis Browns for $50,000.

Tommy Lasorda was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania and is a former Major League pitcher and manager. This year marks his 61st year in one capacity or another with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers organization, the longest tenure anyone has had with the team.

Lasorda became the Los Angeles manager September 29, 1976 upon Walter Alston's retirement. He compiled a record of 1,599 wins and 1,439 losses as Dodgers manager, won two World Series championships in (1981 and 1988), four National League pennants and eight division titles in his 20 year career as the Dodgers Manager.

His 16 wins in 30 NL Championship games managed were the most of any manager at the time of his retirement. His 61 post-season games managed ranks fourth behind Bobby Cox, Casey Stengel and Joe Torre. He also managed in four All-Star games.

Lasorda managed nine players who won the National League Rookie of the Year award.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 as a manager in his first year of eligibility.

About the St. Louis Browns Fan Club

The St. Louis Browns Fan Club is in its 26th year. The goal of the organization is to preserve the history and memory of the St. Louis Browns. The team played in St. Louis from 1902 through the 1953 season when it moved to Baltimore to become the Baltimore Orioles. Information on the luncheon is available from Bill Rogers, Editor of the team’s magazine, Pop Flies at 314-892-8632 or stlbrowns@swbell.net .

Reservations for the July 16 luncheon can be made by sending a check for $24 payable to the St. Louis Browns Fan Club to:

     Rick Stamper
     509 Geyer Rd.
     Kirkwood, MO 63122.

Further information is available through the organization’s websites at http://www.thestlbrowns.com/, at http://thestlbrowns.blogspot.com/  and their “digital museum” at http://stlbrownsmuseum.blogspot.com/.

A League of Her Own: Erma Bergmann at Browns Fan Club Luncheon

Erma M. Bergmann (Bergie) - Amateur Softball and Professional Baseball Player is expected to attend the July 16 reunion luncheon of the St. Louis Browns Fan Club.

A St. Louis native, Bergmann grew up playing baseball with her two brothers until at age 14 she was asked to play organized amateur softball. At age 19 she was asked to try out professionally for the All American Girls Baseball League in Pascagula, Ms. Bergmann, one of the real players from the movie "A League of Their Own", made the team and was recruited to play for the Muskegon Lassies in 1946.

This was the first time in U.S. history women played professional baseball. Known for her strong throwing arm, Bergmann pitched a no hitter against the Grand Rapids Chicks...a career highlight. Bergmann pitched in this extraordinary baseball league from 1946 to 1951. After baseball ended, Bergmann returned to St. Louis and became one of the first pioneer policewomen in 1956. Bergmann retired after 25 years of honorable service in 1981.

Member of Brownie Fan Club Remembers the '64 Cardinals World Series

1964 World Series!
Marvin Herskowitz, Hicksville, NY

During the 1964 series, I was having breakfast at the Commodore Hotel with, at that time, Bo Milliken, pitching coach of the Saint Louis Cardinals. The tables were inches apart as I overheard the Cardinal manager and coaches debating which pitcher they would throw that afternoon. It was crucial that they win the fourth game of the series as the Yankees were leading 2-1.

I mentioned to Bo that for some reason the Yankees always had trouble with a certain type of pitcher. I explained further that such as Mike Fornieles and Lew Burdette were thorns to the Yankees. The latter never enjoyed facing an unorthodox pitcher. "Bo, the Cardinals have a pitcher who throws with an unorthodox delivery. The Cardinals hardly use him and his career is ending...but he could beat the Yankees!" Yankee manager Johnny Keane leaned over and asked, "Who do you mean?" "Roger Craig."

The Cardinals started Ray Sadecki and although he won the first World Series game against the Yankees...Bo was ordered that on Sadecki's first pitch...he was to start warming Roger Craig up in the bullplen.

Sadecki allowed three runs without retiring a single Yankee . . . as Roger Craig was beckoned to the mound. The Yankees could only muster two hits off Roger who became the winning pitcher. Roger Craig's career with the Cardinals ended in 1964!

Marvin Herskowitz (aka playwright Mark Weston)

If The Browns had Stayed in STL, Herzog may Have Been a Brownie

The Hall of Fame induction weekend (7/23/10) is the busiest time of year, and hotel rooms and restaurant tables are booked well in advance. The Hall of Fame's exhibits honoring this year's inductees include a cap from Herzog's 1,000th managerial win, a uniform he wore when he managed the Cardinals, an Orioles uniform that he wore as a player and the scouting card he created on fellow inductee Andre Dawson when he played for Montreal.

"St. Louis baseball has had such a long and rich history that the number of artifacts we have from the teams who play(ed) there are staggering," said Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson.

Among his favorites are Bob Gibson's glove from 1968, 'since his dominance led to the change in the height of the mound"; the glove of one-armed Pete Gray of the St. Louis Browns, 'showing baseball is truly an equal-opportunity employer"; Cool Papa Bell's sunglasses and St. Louis Stars cap, "as they take us straight back to the Negro leagues and speak to James' coolness"; and Stan Musial's locker, 'since Stan is The Man."

Tommy Lasorda: Almost a Brownie

WITH BROWNS IN THE RED, LASORDA TURNED DODGER BLUE

• Rick Hummel, The Post-Dispatch
• St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) • March 23, 2003

If it weren't for Bill Veeck's cash-flow problems 50 years ago, Tommy Lasorda might never have bled Dodger Blue but instead might have shed Browns brown, as unappealing as that sounds.

Before spring training in 1953, the last year the Browns existed, the Brooklyn Dodgers sold Lasorda, a 25-year-old, lefthanded pitcher, to the St. Louis Browns for $50,000.

The curveballing Lasorda was to be the fourth wheel on a staff that featured future New York Yankees Don Larsen and Bob Turley and veteran Gene Bearden.

Near the end of spring training, the Browns prepared to break camp to play the Pittsburgh Pirates in Arizona before coming north. On the train, Lasorda encountered Harry "The Cat" Brecheen, the Browns' pitching coach, who informed Lasorda he was going to be in the rotation.

Lasorda said thank you very much but when the train arrived in Arizona, "who's waiting for us but Bill Veeck (the Browns') owner. We go to our rooms, we change in the hotel and we're going to play the game and I get a call from (manager) Marty Marion who says, 'Come up to my room. I want to talk to you.'"

But also waiting for Lasorda in Marion's room was Veeck. The controversial, financially taxed owner told Lasorda he had been promised $2 million to move to Baltimore but that the New York Yankees had blocked the move at that point.

Veeck went on to tell Lasorda that he had no money and, in fact, owed $250,000. He hadn't paid the $50,000 for Lasorda or the $70,000 for shortstop Billy Hunter to the Dodgers, among other debts. "I've got to turn you back," said Veeck.

Lasorda said: "He didn't have to call me in and explain all that to me. But he liked me."

So, Lasorda returned to Vero Beach, Fla., and resumed bleeding Dodger Blue. "Charlie Gitto is the only person in captivity who has a picture of me in a St. Louis Browns uniform," Lasorda said of the popular St. Louis restaurant owner.

But, what if . . . ?

What if Lasorda had stayed with the Browns, who eventually were sold and moved to Baltimore the next year? Would he have become a famous Oriole and gone on to manage that team instead of fellow Hall of Famer Earl Weaver?

"Maybe he would have never come there," said Lasorda of the Beaumont High product.

"Imagine pitching in St. Louis . . . that would have been great," said Lasorda, who then ticked off the names of his teammates, even if they were so ever so briefly. "Roy Sievers. Don Lenhardt. You talk about some great guys. Dick Kokos. Clint Courtney. Babe Martin.

"Then there was Satchel Paige. Satchel Paige taught me not to worry."

Lasorda, 76, has just returned from viewing the Dodgers' baseball academy in Japan. He has spent considerable time in Japan in recent years helping to raise the quality of play.

"They call me the emperor," Lasorda said, proudly.

Eddie Stankey: He can't hit, can't run, can't field. All He Does is Win.

His Giants manager Leo Durocher once summed up Stanky's talents: "He can't hit, can't run, can't field. He's no nice guy... all the little SOB can do is win."

One season, whenever he was the runner on third base, Stanky developed the habit of standing several feet back of the bag, in left field. If a fly ball was hit, he would time its arc, then take off running so as to step on third base just as the catch was being made. In this way he would be running towards home at full speed from the beginning of the play, making it almost impossible to throw him out.

This tactic was made illegal following the season.

Stanky was also (in)famous for what came to be called "the Stanky maneuver", where he would take advantage of his position on second base to distract opposing batters by jumping up and down and waving his arms behind the pitcher.

DiMaggio Breaks Sisler's Record

1941 - In a doubleheader against the Washington Senators, New York's Joe DiMaggio tied and then broke the American League record of hitting safely in 41 consecutive games. DiMaggio doubled in four at-bats in the opener and singled in five at-bats in the nightcap to break the record set by George Sisler of the St. Louis Browns in 1922.

The Great Potato Play

Article Written by Davbmn on 09/02/07.

A baseball play that has become legendary!

The great potato incident of 1987 has become legendary. Like something you would see in Bull Durham, this story of a career minor-league catcher and a potato is getting national and international recognition. Baseball is a very serious game not known for its on-field antics and celebrations. Dave Bresnahan , the player who planned and executed one of the greatest gags in baseball, is having some fun as a living legend of sorts, to a generation of players who play with such conviction and intensity that they sometimes forget that it’s a game.

It’s a shame that a game has become so serious that it’s impossible to have fun just because you lose. What ever happened to playing for the love of the game and just enjoying the fact that you get paid to play a kids game for a living. Whatever happened to players who would be gracious enough to realize that they playing baseball and not curing cancer or ridding the world of hunger and poverty. That is why it is so refreshing to hear stories about players who “play” and have fun doing it.

Yahoo sports writer, Jeff Passan, takes a look at the the man, the myth, the legend, Dave Bresnahan, 20 years removed from the incident that made him..............famous.? Read his article on “The Tater Toss”.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-bresnahanpotato083107

The 10 MLB Feats We Will Never See Again

#1 - A Perfect Game in the World Series (From a x-Brownie)
by Ray Tannock

Throughout each and every MLB season, the discussion always seems to arise over the next great feat to be achieved by a single player.

These feats are also—more often than not—indelible marks in the record books that sometimes seem unbreakable.

But within the mix of these conversations are also discussions about giant feats in baseball that will NEVER happen again, and I put together a top 10 list highlighting some of these feats.

I realize in sports that anything is possible, and you may find one or two here that almost happened, but most of you should agree that this list is basically a collection of feats that we will never see again.

You can read the other 9, but here is the #1 feat that will never happen again.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/405791-the-10-mlb-feats-we-will-never-see-again#page/11

1. A Perfect Game in the World Series

Pitching in any regular season is one thing to have to deal with. Pitching in a World Series is a whole different beast to burden.

So when we think of things like a complete game, a no hitter, or even a perfect game in a World Series, the chances of that happening again are slim to none, with emphasis on the none.

I know anything is possible in sports, but the level of intensity handcuffed to the World Series is monumental; the pressure to keep your team in a series competition—whether you are up three games to none, or down three games to none—is unimaginable.

With so much mental baggage loaded on the plane so to speak, pitching a perfect game in a World Series will probably never happen again. Pitchers will rarely even get a fighting chance, let alone achieve such a feat.

The last individual to do so was Don Larsen’s perfect game in Game Five of the 1956 World Series. It has never been achieved since.

Charting the Paths of Todays Major League Baseball Teams

Atlanta Braves (1966–present)

Milwaukee Braves (1953–1965)

Boston Braves (1941–1952)
Boston Bees (1936–1940)
Boston Braves (1912–1935)
Boston Rustlers (1911)
Boston Doves (1907–1910)
Boston Beaneaters (1883–1906)
Boston Red Caps (1876–1882)
Boston Red Stockings (1871–1876)

Boston Red Sox (1908–present)
Boston Americans (1901-1907)

Baltimore Orioles (1954–present)
St. Louis Browns (1902–1953)
Milwaukee Brewers (1894–1901)

Philadelphia Phillies (1884–present)
Philadelphia Quakers (1883–1889, used interchangeably with Phillies from 1884–89)

Pittsburgh Pirates (1891–present)
Pittsburgh Alleghenys (1887–1889)
Allegheny (1882–1886)
(Also referred to as "Innocents" in 1890 and Pittsburg for a time)

Detroit Tigers (1894–present)

Chicago White Sox (1904–present)
(Chicago) White Stockings (1900-1903)
*From 1900 to 1903, the official name did not contain the city name of Chicago, although it was based there

St. Paul Saints (1895-1899)
Sioux City Cornhuskers (1894)

Cincinnati Reds (1958–present)
Cincinnati Redlegs (1953–1958)
Cincinnati Reds (1890–1953)
Cincinnati Red Stockings (1882–1889)

New York Yankees (1913–present)
New York Highlanders (1903–1912)
Baltimore Orioles (1901–1902)

Chicago Cubs (1902–present)
Chicago Orphans (1898–1901)
Chicago Colts (1890–1897)
Chicago White Stockings (1870–1871, 1874–1889)

Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1932–1957)
Brooklyn Robins (1914–1931)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1913)
Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers (1911–1912)
Brooklyn Superbas (1899–1910)
Brooklyn Grooms (1891–1895)
Brooklyn Bridegrooms (1888–1890), (1896–1898)
Brooklyn Grays (1885–1887)
Brooklyn Atlantics (1883–1884)

St. Louis Cardinals (1900–present)
St. Louis Perfectos (1899)
St. Louis Brown Stockings/Browns (1882-1898)

Cleveland Indians (1915–present)
Cleveland Naps (1903–1914)
Cleveland Bronchos (1902, unofficial)
Cleveland Bluebirds (1901–1902)
Cleveland Lake Shores (1900)
Grand Rapids Rustlers (1894–1899)

San Francisco Giants (1958–present)
New York Giants (1885–1957)
New York Gothams (1883–85)

Minnesota Twins (1961–present)
Washington Nationals/Senators (1901–1960)
Kansas City Blues (1894–1900) (Western League)

Oakland Athletics (1981–present)
Oakland A's (1970–1980)
Oakland Athletics (1968–1969)
Kansas City Athletics (1955–1967)

Philadelphia Athletics (1901–1954)

Houston Astros (1965–present)
Houston Colt .45s (1962–1964)

Milwaukee Brewers (1970–present)
Seattle Pilots (1969)

Kansas City Royals (1969–present)
Kansas City Athletics (1890-1900)

Washington Nationals (2005–present)
Montreal Expos (1969-2004)

Texas Rangers (1972–present)
Washington Senators (1961–1971)

San Diego Padres (1969–present)

Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–present)

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2005–present)
Anaheim Angels (1997-2004)
California Angels (September 2, 1965-1996)
Los Angeles Angels (1961-September 1, 1965)

New York Mets (1962–present)

Seattle Mariners (1977–present)

Toronto Blue Jays (1977–present)

Florida Marlins (1993–present)

Colorado Rockies (1993–present)

Tampa Bay Rays (2008–present)
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998-2007)

Agree?  Disagree?  You can log in your comments at:
http://www.listology.com/podizz/story/charting-paths-todays-major-league-baseball-teams

Or click on COMMENTS below and share your thoughts.

The St. Louis Browns Are on the Air

We often get inquiries if there are any radio or video of Browns baseball games available. We’re certain there are some out there but are pretty rare.

We came across a site offering a number of radio broadcasts of baseball games to include one game of the St. Louis Browns playing the Chicago White Sox. The game is from July 1, 1953 and is broadcast by the Mutual Network. (Sorry, no Browns announcers).

The programs are only available on cassette tape and cost $13.95 - $14.95. The program runs about 2.5 hours. The home page with all the details is at: http://www.baseballtapes.com/Home . The page listing all the ballgames is at: http://www.baseballtapes.com/baseball-game-page--1

You’ll hear name like Littlefield, Sievers, Hunter, Moss, Martin, Lenhardt and others. Enjoy.

St. Louis Brown Stockings Continue the History

So you know, there's a new vintage base ball club in St. Louis, too. They are under the same umbrella organization as the St. Louis Perfectos & Lafayette Square Cyclones. They are called the St. Louis Brown Stockings. Check out their schedule, photos, box scores and lots more at: http://www.tiptopworks.com/brownstockings.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Pop Flies, The Official Publication of the St. Louis Browns Fan Club

The Spring 2010 issue of Pop Flies, the official publication is in the mail. This issue features the following articles.

• Browns 2010 Luncheon Set for July 16
• Sievers Gets Jack Buck Award
• Almost a Brownie - Ty Cobb and the STL Browns
• Browns Trivia

• Browns Interesting Draft Picks
• Browns Digital Museum (http://stlbrownsmuseum.blogspot.com/)
• The Fans Remember
• The Browns First, Last and Only Events
• Browns Memorabilia Targeting STL Sports Hall of Fame
• Johnny Berardino Mattinee Idol
• STL Browns All-Stars
• Two Browns Have Restaurants Names for Them
• Sportsman's Park: Then & Now
• Small Town Boys from Farmington Make the Big Leagues
• Baseball's First Lady (book) Now Available

The Hidden Ball Trick

The trick is exactly what its name suggests. It’s a deceptive play in which the runner on base is fooled as to the location of the ball, and is then tagged out by a nearby defender. Most often, this involves one of the basemen making a fake throw back to the pitcher who, for the play to be legal, must be positioned off of the mound.

According to multiple sources, there have been fewer than 300 successful instances of the Hidden Ball Trick in the recorded history of the Major Leagues. Considering that the game has been around for over a century, with each team playing more than 100 games, it’s an astonishingly low number.

One of the earliest known practitioners of the trick was Bill Coughlin, a third baseman who played for the Washington Senators and Detroit Tigers in a career which spanned nine years (1899-1908). While there is no way to verify his claim, Coughlin was said to have been responsible for seven successful executions of the Hidden Ball Trick. His most high-profile exhibition came in Game Two of the 1907 World Series, when he caught Jimmy Slagle of the Chicago Cubs. It is the only recorded instance of the trick in World Series History.

George Sisler Selected for St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame

ST. LOUIS — A list of 16 individuals, headed by NHL Hall of Famer Brett Hull and former NFL Most Valuable Player Marshall Faulk, as well as several special achievement winners will be inducted as the second class of the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.

The group will be honored at an Enshrinement dinner to be held November 16, 17 or 18 (pending the St. Louis Blues schedule) at the Millennium Hotel, announced Greg Marecek, founder and president of the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.

“This group is outstanding and many of them could have been included in the first class,” Marecek said. “Once again, we are bringing to the sports fans of St. Louis an array of great stars."

To qualify for the St. Louis Shrine, nominees needed to have been born or simply played in St. Louis either as amateurs or professionals, from the high school ranks to the professional leagues. Some 100 ballots were distributed to former athletes and members of the media.

The individual members of the second class are:

• • Brett Hull, former member of the St. Louis Blues and member of the NHL Hall of Fame.

• • Senator Bill Bradley, former Crystal City High School standout, three-time All-America player at Princeton University and a member of the two-time NBA champion New York Knicks.

• • Jim Hart, former quarterback for the St. Louis football Cardinals

• • Joe Garagiola, former player and broadcaster for the baseball Cardinals and a member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

• • Dick Vermeil, coach of the St. Louis Rams Super Bowl championship team.

• • Cliff Hagan, a member of the St. Louis Hawks 1958 NBA championship team and a member of the NBA Hall of Fame.

• • Dizzy Dean, former Cardinals’ pitching great and member of the Major Leagues' Baseball Hall of Fame.

• • Al MacInnis, former player for the St. Louis Blues and member of the NHL Hall of Fame.

• • Hale Irwin, winner of three U.S. Open golf championships, 20 total PGA tour titles and 45 Senior/Champions PGA tour trophies.

• • Bob Broeg, former sports editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and a member of the writer’s wing of the MLB Hall of Fame.

• • Marshall Faulk, the MVP of the St. Louis Rams Super Bowl championship team and winner of the 2000 NFL Most Valuable Player award.

• • Pat McBride, a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, who earned five caps with the U.S. National Team and former coach of the MISL St. Louis Steamers.

• • George Sisler, who played for the St. Louis Browns and became a member of the MLB Hall of Fame who twice batted over .400 for the Browns. (pictured left)

• • Don Carter, voted Bowler of the Century by Bowler’s Journal Magazine, and was bowling’s first million-dollar man.

• • Earl “Butch” Buchholz, one of the game’s top tennis players during the late 1950s and early 1960s and a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

• • Ted Simmons, former catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, who ranks among the top-hitting catchers of all time.

In addition, Special Achievement Awards will be given to:

• • Hall of Fame Award of Champions: Lindenwood University (team championships) and Washington University (for NCAA Division III women’s basketball champions)

• • The St. Louis Award for Past Champions: Budweiser's 1950's Bowling Team

• • The President's Choice Award: The Rawlings Sporting Goods Co.

• • The Star of the Game Award: Cardinal Jack Clark for his game winning 1985 home run to win the NL pennant

• • Community Service and Humanitarian Award: Cardinals Care

• • The Hall of Fame Heart of Gold Award: Monsignor Louis Meyer for distinguished service to the CYC

• • The Metro Legend Award: Ray Cliffe football coach of Cleveland High School and the St. Louis Officials Association

All living honorees and special achievement award winners have committed to attending the November dinner.

Tickets for the dinner may be purchased for $150 per person or $1,250 per table of ten. Ticket orders are now being accepted, with check or money order made out to the “St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.” To order tickets, send a check or money order to St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 190833, St. Louis, Mo. 63119, or call Kathy at 618-292-5528.

Tickets may also be purchased, by credit card, on-line at the Hall of Fame website: http://www.stlouissportshalloffame.com/.

Former Browns Pitcher, Jack Kramer, & Others in New Orleans Hall of Fame

Former New Orleans Zephyrs manager Tony Pena and Crescent City natives Al Jurisich, Jack Kramer and Lou Klein will be inducted into the New Orleans Professional Baseball Hall of Fame

Tony Pena was the Zephyrs' manager from 1999 to 2001, compiling a record of 205-216 in his three seasons at the helm of the Z's. As a player, Pena was a five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner as a catcher, playing 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros.

Al Jurisich pitched a total of nine seasons in the minors, including three with the New Orleans Pelicans in the Southern Association (1940 - 1942). He made his Major League debut on April 26, 1944 with the St. Louis Cardinals, posting a record of 10-12 during two seasons before moving on to the Philadelphia Phillies (1946 - 1947), where injuries reduced his time in the majors.

Jurisich appeared in the 1944 World Series against the St. Louis Browns, pitching two-thirds of an inning in relief during Game Three.

John (Jack) Henry Kramer signed as an amateur free agent with the St. Louis Browns in 1936. He made his major league debut on April 25, 1939 and would go on to compile a record of 143-144 over 22 seasons in professional baseball, including winning Game Three of the 1944 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a three-time All-Star with the Browns in 1945, 1946 and 1947 and led the American League in winning percentage (.783) with a record of 18-5 with the Boston Red Sox in 1948.

Kramer finished his baseball career with the New Orleans Pelicans in 1959.

Louis Frank Klein signed a professional contract with the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Klein was a versatile infielder who enjoyed a long career in baseball, including a stellar 1943 rookie season where he was second in the National League in triples (14) and at-bats (627) and helped the Cardinals capture the 1943 pennant. He appeared in five games of the 1943 World Series against the New York Yankees.

Saturday, May 29th, the 100th Anniversary of George McQuinn's Birth

Greetings Browns Fans,

Here in Arlington, Va., we're celebrating the 100th birthday of our hometown hero and the best hitter of the '44 Series, George McQuinn. And despite Ryan Zimmerman's 30-game hit streak last year, McQuinn still holds the MLB record for an Arlington resident.

Here's what we put up on our Library website: http://virginiaroomarlingtonva.blogspot.com/2010/05/arlingtons-all-star.html

Best regards,
Pete Golkin

-------------------------------

George McQuinn

He has no plaque in Cooperstown and you won’t find a hometown field with his name. But back in the day, George Hartley McQuinn of Arlington, Va. could pick it with the best of them. In 1938, just his first full season in the big leagues, he hit safely in 34 straight games for the lowly St. Louis Browns. Later, he hit .304 while playing for the New York Yankees.

Born in 1910, George McQuinn was a six-time All-Star and a major leaguer for 12 years. He helped win two American League pennants and a world championship ring as the unlikely spark for the 1947 Yankees. And at the end of each season, he came home to Arlington, where as a boy living near modern-day Ballston, George played ball with his five brothers. He was even named the first captain of the Washington-Lee baseball team.

Just before his final season in the big leagues, George bought himself a sporting goods store back home at 1041 N. Highland St. in Clarendon, gave it the winning brand “McQuinn’s,” and took an active role in running the place. He returned to the store for a year after his retirement following the 1948 season, but baseball wasn't finished with him yet. George managed various minor league teams, winning four championships with the Braves in Quebec. As time went on, he accepted part-time scouting positions for the Braves and then the Washington Senators while spending more time at his store and writing a concise but thorough “Guide to Better Baseball.”

Clarendon's downturn in the 1960s forced McQuinn to close his store, and he finally left baseball in 1972. He moved to Alexandria and became an apartment manager, spending more time with his family. George McQuinn died following a stroke on Christmas Eve 1978. He was 68 years old. McQuinn was never voted into Cooperstown. But in the last spring of his life, he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in Portsmouth. His official photograph shows him wearing the Yankees uniform.

Saturday, May 29th, is the 100th anniversary of George McQuinn's birth.
http://virginiaroomarlingtonva.blogspot.com/2010/05/arlingtons-all-star.html

Browns Players Who Played Into the 1960s

* 1965 was Satchel Paige’s first major league appearance since 1953.

** In 1967, the 38-year-old Don Larsen was called up by the Cubs for 12 days, but had not played in the majors since 1965.

Veeck Gets Trophy For Firing Manager

St. Louis Browns pitcher Ned Garver presents a silver trophy on behalf of his teammates to Bill Veeck, center, Browns' president, in dressing room at Fenway Park, Boston, Ma. , a few hours after Veeck fired Rogers Hornsby as manager of the club. The trophy bears the inscription, "To Bill Veeck for the greatest play since the Emancipation Proclamation. June 10, 1952. From the Players of the St. Louis Browns."

The American Association Pennant Winners (Browns er Cardinals)

From 1882-1891 they challenged the National League toe-to-toe and almost won. They played on Sunday, charged only 25 cents to see a game (the NL charged 50) sold beer and brought a lot of new innovations to the game of baseball. Why, they even had a team that in 1886 won the World Series, the St. Louis Browns! Today, the Browns play in the National League and are known as the Cardinals.

The American Association left its imprint and its existence is still being felt to this day for if you watch the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Cincinnati Reds, the Los Angeles Dodgers, you are watching teams that began in the American Association!

The American Association folded after 1891 when after being weakened by the Player's League revolt in 1890 it could no longer compete with the NL.

The American Association had something the NL never had, a club that won 4 straight pennants. Thier first pennant winner were the Cincinnati Reds, yes the same Reds. Their big dynasty were the St. Louis Browns, today's Cardinals. The Browns won four straight pennants from 1885 to 1888.

American Association Pennant Winners 1882-1891

YEAR PENNANT WINNER W-L

1882 Cincinnati Red Stockings 55-25

1883 Philadelphia Athletics 66-32

1884 New York Metropolitans 75-32

1885 St. Louis Browns 79-33

1886 St. Louis Browns 93-46

1887 St. Louis Browns 95-40

1888 St. Louis Browns 92-43

1889 Brooklyn Bridegrooms 93-44

1890 Louiville Colonels 88-44

1891 Boston Red Stockings 93-42

Photo Album Available from 2009 Reunion Dinner

Now on-line. Photos of the 2009 Fan Club Reunion.  Click here to download a pdf file of photos.
http://www.mydocsonline.com/pub/wrogers/Browns2009Dinner.pdf

St. Louis Browns Under 12 Team

The Under 12 St. Louis Browns is a top team in the Affton gold select league. In addition to league play, we play in six to seven tournaments a year. We are a strong team and we are looking for an additional player to sub with us for the remainder of this season and join us next year.

Click on Photo to Enlarge

Please contact Rachel Burns, rachel-burns@sbcglobal.net or 314-406-0765 for more information. If you want to check out our team site see http://www.browns.teammania.net/.

Eddie Plank Baseballs Most Consistent Pitcher

Born in the early 20th century Edward Stewart Plank also known as “Gettysburg Eddie” played in the Major Leagues (MLB). Although history states that Eddie Plank attended and graduated from Gettysburg College, records show that Eddie just played for the Gettysburg College baseball team.

Eddie made his fist major league debut at age 25 on May 13, 1901, for the Philadelphia Athletics where he would play for thirteen years as a pitcher. His major league career consisted of winning over 20 games seven times and contributing to two World Series championships, one in 1911, the other in 1913. Plank was known as one of the most consistent pitchers of his time.

In 1915 Plank joined the St. Louis Terriers of the Federal League, he won 21 games, the eighth and final time he would reach the twentieth win plateau. His final team before retiring was the St. Louis Browns where he played in 1916 and 1917. Eddie was inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame in 1946.

In today’s memorabilia market the T206 Eddie Plank is the third most valuable baseball card in the hobby. It ranks behind only the 1933 Goudey Lajoie and the T206 Wagner. It seems that most of the rarities in the hobby have a story to explain the card’s scarcity. The T206 Plank is no exception.

Eddie Plank’s pitching capabilities are often times overlooked in our hobby because of the legend of his T206 card. Plank was one of the most dominant pitchers of his time and is a first rate Hall of Famer. Hall of Fame collectors would love to add this specific Plank card to their collection. It is also at the top of any collector’s list that is seeking our hobby’s ultra rarities. The Plank is a super card. Not only is the card a rarity from the popular T206 set, but it pictures one of the greatest left-handed pitchers ever to play the game.

A New Book on Major League Baseball's First Female Owner

Sportsman's Park - Field of Dreams

FIELD OF DREAMS: Jimmy Palermo grew up across the street from Sportsman's Park (circled above), the host to more Major League baseball games than any ballpark in history. Sportsman's park opened in 1902 and housed both the Cardinals and Browns for 34 years, 1920 - 1953.

Robin Roberts, Famed Baseball Pitcher

Robin Roberts, the Hall of Fame pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and later for the Baltimore Orioles, has died at age 83.

Roberts, a righthander with remarkable durability and control, won 20 games or more for six consecutive seasons in the 1950s. He was the star pitcher for the Phillies' "Whiz Kids" team of 1950, which surprisingly dashed its way to the National League pennant. He also holds the dubious record of allowing the most home runs in major-league history.

Too Many Pinch Hitters

May 1, 1955  -  Manager Bobby Bragan of Hollywood was fined $50 by the league for sending up a succession of eight pinch-hitters - for one batter in a game against Los Angeles.

Browns Uniform Is A Costume Hit

From Browns fan - Alan Hiles

Hope you like the uniform. It is not an old one. Here in the town I live in there is a Historical re-enactment weekend every September. I have a collection of antique pocket watches that I wanted to display. The requirements for exhibitors was that they had to have some sort of "period" costume. The first year I just had a white shirt, black pants, overcoat and a derby.

The next year I got the idea to make a vintage baseball uniform. Of course being a fan of St Louis, especially the Browns, I worked up a late forties number. It was pretty crude, but was a hit. Things took off from there.

I have several Browns uniforms along with Cardinals. A couple of years ago I branched out to other teams. Mostly trying to find odd ones to show what some of the crazy things they used to do. I think the 1939 one is my favorite, though! 

Almost a Brownie???

In 1956, the St. Louis Hawks traded the No. 2 pick in the draft - Bill Russell - to the Boston Celtics.

In the late 1940s, the St. Louis Browns had a chance to sign a Commerce, Okla. high school baseball star. The Browns couldn't afford to put him up in a hotel and Mickey Mantle wound up signing with the New York Yankees.

By Dan O'Neill
NBCSports.com contributor

Bob Dillinger, 1949 St. Louis Browns: One All Star Game

Dillinger came up to the majors in 1946 with the St. Louis Browns at the age 27, spending the 1943-1945 years in military service during World War II. Despite a career batting average of .306 in his six seasons in the majors, Dillinger played in only one All-Star game.

He was named to the 1949 American League squad that defeated the National League, 11-7. Dillinger entered the game in the sixth inning as a pinch-runner for Tigers third baseman George Kell and scored on a Roy Campanella error. Dillinger remained in the game and had his only at-bat in the top of the sixth inning at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, singling off Cardinals pitcher Howie Pollet to drive home Joe DiMaggio from second base.

"I made it once and had a good game," Dillinger said. "You hate to be a bust in the All-Star game, but I did pretty good. I pinch-ran and scored a run. Then singled off Howie Pollet. It was a great experience and I had fun. I actually had a better year in 1948, but didn't get the votes to be elected. You weren't going to get much support playing for the Browns regardless of how good you were because we drew maybe 2,500 people to our games. In those days, the St. Louis votes went to the Cardinals."

In 1947, Dillinger hit .294 and led the A.L. with 34 stolen bases. The following season--his best in the majors--the right-handed hitting third baseman led the junior circuit with 207 hits and 28 steals while batting .321 and scoring 110 runs. In '49, he hit .324 and led the A.L. in steals for the third straight year with 20 before being traded and splitting the 1950 campaign with the A's and Pirates and the 1951 season with the Pirates and White Sox.

Dillinger could always hit, but it was his defense that prevented him from getting a longer stay in the majors.

"I was a good hitter and fielder, but to be honest, I had a lousy throwing arm. I could field the ball but was scared to throw it. I was like Steve Sax. I spent the 1952-1955 seasons in the Pacific Coast League where I moved to the outfield and led the league in hitting with a .366 mark in 1953. I thought that would get me back to the majors, but it didn't work out. I was 35, and probably too old. If I were in my twenties and put up those numbers, I might have made it back to the big leagues."

Dillinger said the mid-summer classic was different than it is today. "We played hard and played to win. You wanted to do good," he said. "Even though it was my first and only All-Star game, I played in those types of games before. During the war, I played on the special service team with guys like Joe DiMaggio, Ferris Fain, Jerry Priddy and other big leaguers. I played center field for DiMaggio's club in Guam in front of 40,000 troops.

"Baseball was good to me, but today, I don't think any All-Star player is worth a million dollars. In my time, we worried about getting winter jobs. I worked construction in the off-season and when I left baseball, I worked for the city of Los Angeles as a construction inspector.

"I could have been on other All-Star teams," Dillinger said, "but I was picked for only one. I'm glad I got the chance and did well."

Browns to Retire Eddie Gaedel's Number 1/8 in DH in St. Louis

Almost fifty-nine years after stepping up to the plate, major league baseball's smallest player will have his big night. On July 17, the Farmington Browns Baseball Club will retire Eddie Gaedel's famous number 1/8 in ceremonies between games of a twi-night doubleheader at Lemay Baseball Association's Heine Meine Field in St. Louis. The Browns will play the M.I.N.K. League's Ozark Generals that night.

On August 19, 1951, the St. Louis Browns' owner Bill Veeck sent Gaedel to bat as a pinch-hitter in the first inning of the second game of a doubleheader versus the Detroit Tigers. Gaedel drew a walk off of pitcher Bob Cain.

Wearing vintage 1934 St. Louis Browns uniforms, the Farmington Browns play in the summer collegiate KIT (Kitty) League, a wood-bat league for college and university players. The league is named after the old Class D pro circuit that lasted from 1903-1955. Major leaguers who played in the league include Tony Kubek, Chuck Tanner, Vern Stephens, Red Schoendienst and Dusty Rhodes.

For more information please contact Ted Kapnick, Owner/GM, Farmington Browns Baseball Club, 200 West First Street, Suite 191, Farmington, MO 63640 or call 573-705-2313.

Frank Bird: From Spencer, Mass. To The St Louis Browns

Back in the late 1930s, I used to observe a tall man, laboriously walking along Mechanic Street. Frank Bird’s affliction was that he was paralyzed on one side. Here was the story that I heard when I was a kid.

The old timers in town said that Mr. Bird had been a big league baseball player in his younger days. One extremely hot day he hit a home run. Immediately after scoring at home plate, he quenched his thirst with a drink of ice cold water. He went into shock and he remained partially paralyzed for the rest of his life.

So Spencer, Mass., had a major league ball player. That was something for a 10 or 11-year-old impressionable kid to be proud of. I, more or less, forgot about Frank Bird for another 30 years. In the 1970's my sons, Todd and Keith played little league baseball, and one of teams was named “The Frank Birds” in honor of Spencer’s big time baseball player.

I did not think of the name Frank Bird again for another 30 or so years. About a month ago, I was enjoying a cup of coffee at McDonald’s, and someone asked if I knew anything about Spencer’s baseball player of yore, the late Frank Bird.

I didn't, but resorted to “Google” and it told me quite a bit.

He was in the big leagues, not for long, but he did make it to the big time. He played for the St. Louis Browns for two months in the year 1892. He stood 5-feet-10 inches tall, and weighed 195 pounds. He batted right handed and caught right handed. He played for the Browns for just two months from April to June, 1892.

He scored nine runs. He produced 10 hits, which consisted of one triple, three doubles, five singles and one home run. I can’t help but wonder if the single home run that he hit for his team was the one that sent him into shock after his drink of ice cold water, and left him partially paralyzed for the rest of life.

Frank Bird passed away on May 20, 1948 at the age of 89.